Computer system for enabling an optical drive to self-test analog audio signal paths when no disc is present

ABSTRACT

A computer system includes a chassis, a processor mounted in the chassis, a memory coupled to the processor, and an optical disc drive coupled to the processor and the memory, the optical disc drive comprising a removable storage media, the optical disc drive being configurable to internally generate an audio tone signal in response to receiving a command during an absence of the removable storage media; to receive a second command, wherein the second command generates a corresponding second audio tone signal and to receive a third command, and wherein the third command is configurable to stop the generation of the second audio tone signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of co-owned,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,320, filed Nov. 13, 2001 nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,789,139, by David M. Pereira, entitled METHOD FORENABLING AN OPTICAL DRIVE TO SELF-TEST ANALOG AUDIO SIGNAL PATHS WHEN NODISC IS PRESENT, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to the testing of computer systems. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to the implementation of amethod and a system for testing audio components of a computer system'soptical disc drive.

Information systems in general have attained widespread use in businessas well as personal computing environments. An information handlingsystem, as referred to herein, may be defined as an instrumentality oraggregate of instrumentalities primarily designed to compute, classify,process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display,manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle or utilize any form ofinformation, intelligence or data for business, scientific, control orother purposes. The information handling system may be configured for aspecific user application or requirement such as financial transactionprocessing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage and/or globalcommunications. In general, an information handling system may include avariety of hardware and/or software components that may be configured toprovide information and/or consume information. An information handlingsystem may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems,and/or networking systems.

A computer system, which is one common type of information handlingsystem, may be designed to give independent computing power to one or aplurality of users. Computer systems may be found in many formsincluding, for example, mainframes, minicomputers, workstations,servers, clients, personal computers, Internet terminals, notebooks,personal digital assistants, and embedded systems.

A computer system may be available as a desktop, floor-standing unit, oras a portable unit. The computer system typically includes amicrocomputer unit having a processor, volatile and/or non-volatilememory, a display monitor, a keyboard, one or more floppy diskettedrives, a hard disc storage device, an optional optical drive, e.g.,DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, Combination DVD/CD-RW or CD-ROM, and an optionalprinter. A computer system also includes a commercially availableoperating system, such as Microsoft Windows XP™ or Linux. A computersystem may also include one or a plurality of peripheral devices such asinput/output (“I/O”) devices coupled to the system processor to performspecialized functions. Examples of I/O devices include keyboardinterfaces with keyboard controllers, floppy diskette drive controllers,modems, sound and video devices, specialized communication devices, andeven other computer systems communicating with each other via a network.These I/O devices are typically plugged into connectors of computersystem I/O interfaces such as serial interfaces and parallel interfaces,for example. Generally, these computer systems use a system board ormotherboard to electrically interconnect these devices.

Computer systems also typically include basic input/output system(“BIOS”) programs to ease programmer/user interaction with the computersystem devices. More specifically, BIOS provides a software interfacebetween the system hardware and the operating system/applicationprogram. The operating system (“OS”) and application program typicallyaccess BIOS rather than directly manipulating I/O ports, registers, andcontrol words of the specific system hardware. Well known device driversand interrupt handlers access BIOS to, for example, facilitate I/O datatransfer between peripheral devices and the OS, application program, anddata storage elements. BIOS is accessed through an interface of softwareinterrupts and contains a plurality of entry points correspondingrespectively to the different interrupts. In operation, BIOS istypically loaded from a BIOS ROM or BIOS EPROM, where it is nonvolatilystored, to main memory from which it is executed. This practice isreferred to as “shadowing” or “shadow RAM” and increases the speed atwhich BIOS executes.

Although the processor provides the “kernel” of the computer system, 1/Ocommunication between an 1/O device and the processor forms a basicfeature of computer systems. Many I/O devices include specializedhardware working in conjunction with OS specific device drivers and BIOSroutines to perform functions such as information transfer between theprocessor and external devices, such as modems and printers, coupled to1/O devices.

Computer systems typically include peripheral memory storage devicessuch as optical disc drives with removable storage media. The removablestorage media is typically used to store and/or load software, data, anddocumentation. Examples of optical disc drives with removable storagemedia include audio CD, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD and combinationDVD/CD-RW. To load the selected operating system on to the hard disc forthe first time, the PC manufacturer typically uses a boot device toinitially boot up the PC. A boot device may typically include a floppydisc or a CD-ROM.

The personal computer business is rapidly moving toward “build-to-order”manufacturing. The customer typically enters a purchase order for acomputer system by selecting specific options such as processormodel/speed, memory size, hard disc size, peripheral devices such as CRTmonitor size, resolution, keyboard, CD-RW, DVD, printers and others. Thecomputer system purchase order usually includes the choice for anoperating system such as Windows XP™, Windows ME™, or in some casesLinux. The computer system manufacturer assembles the computer systemhardware in compliance with the purchase order.

After completion of the hardware and software assembly process, thecomputer system undergoes extensive inspection and testing. The PCmanufacturer typically ships the custom manufactured computer systemwithin a few days to the customer after receipt of purchase order.Typically a PC manufacturer may ship several thousand “build-to-order”computer systems every day.

During the manufacturing process of a personal computer, the inspectionand testing phase is typically important to identify product defects.Generally, it is more cost effective to identify and fix product defectsbefore shipment to a customer site. The testing of personal computerperipheral devices such as optical disc drives with removable storagemedia is time-consuming. For example, the testing phase of the CD-ROMdevice typically involves manually inserting a test CD-ROM in the driveand conducting the test procedure. The “build-to-order” manufacturingprocess of a personal computer or the disc drive with removable mediatypically involves an assembly line operation capable of producingthousands of units each hour. The step of manually inserting theremovable media for test purposes in the manufacturing of severalthousand personal computers typically slows down the manufacturingprocess and also adds to the product costs.

FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) is a diagram schematically illustrating thesimplified structure of a general optical drive system. Referring toFIG. 1 (PRIOR ART), a spindle motor 110 rotates an optical disc 115,which is seated on a turntable 120. On inserting the optical disc 115 inthe disc drive, a clamp 125 assembly may be used to secure the positionof the optical disc 115 on the turntable 120 such that the insertedoptical disc 115 is frictionally coupled to the turntable 120. Severaltypes of clamp 125 mechanism are well known in the art, depending on thedimensions of the optical disc drive. A sensor device 130 is used forreproducing the information recorded on the optical disc 115. A disccontroller 140 controls the overall disc drive system, including thespindle motor 110 and the sensor device 130.

For CD-ROM's, the sensor device 130 assembly (not shown) typicallyincludes a low-power laser diode, a lens, a focusing coil, a prism and alight detecting diode. For optical disc drives, the sensor device 130assembly (not shown) typically includes at least one low-power laserdiode, focusing and positioning coils, additional optical components,and a light-detecting diode assembly. Information is encoded in aplastic-encased spiral track (not shown) contained on one side of theoptical disc 115. The spiral track is read optically by the sensordevice 130, which typically includes a non-contact head, and which scansapproximately radially as the disc spins just above it.

The disc controller 140 typically includes a processor (not shown),e.g., a digital signal processor (“DSP”) and/or a microprocessor. Theprocessor is typically configurable to perform various control functionssuch as reading data and/or sound files stored on the optical disc 115.The optical disc drive also generally includes an audio circuit tooutput the audio files stored on the removable optical disc storage. Forcomputer systems equipped with sound circuitry, the audio output of theoptical disc device is typically directly connected to the soundcircuitry via a cable. For computer systems without sound circuitry, theaudio output of the optical disc device may be typically directlyaccessible via an audio jack (not shown). A sound output device such asa loudspeaker, or a headphone may be connectable to the audio jack ofthe optical disc device to listen to the sound.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, one embodiment discloses acomputer system including a chassis, a processor mounted in the chassis,a memory coupled to the processor, and an optical disc drive coupled tothe processor and the memory, the optical disc drive comprising aremovable storage media, the optical disc drive being configurable tointernally generate an audio tone signal in response to receiving acommand during an absence of the removable storage media, to receive asecond command, wherein the second command generates a correspondingsecond audio tone signal and to receive a third command, and wherein thethird command is configurable to stop the generation of the second audiotone signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the samereference number throughout the several figures designates a like orsimilar element.

FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) is a diagram schematically illustrating thesimplified structure of a general optical disc drive system;

FIG. 2 illustrates an information handling system to implement a methodof audio testing a disc drive device by internally generating an audiotone signal in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart for a method of audio testing a discdrive device by internally generating an audio tone signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a thorough understanding of the subject disclosure, including thebest mode contemplated by the inventor, reference may be had to thefollowing Detailed Description, including the appended Claims, inconnection with the above-described Drawings. The following DetailedDescription is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting.

Referring to FIG. 2, an information handling system 200 is shown that issuitable for implementing a method for testing audio components of thecomputer system's optical disc drive. In one embodiment, the informationhandling system 200 is a computer system.

Information handling system 200 includes a microprocessor (“processor”)205, for example, an Intel Pentium™ class microprocessor or AMD Athlon™class microprocessor, having a processor 210 for handling integeroperations and a co-processor 215 for handling floating pointoperations. Processor 205 is coupled to cache 229 and memory controller230 via processor bus 291. System controller 1/O trap 292 couplesprocessor bus 291 to local bus 220 and is generally characterized aspart of a system controller such as a Pico Power Vesuvious or an Intel™Mobile Triton chip set. System controller I/O trap 292 can be programmedin a well-known manner to intercept a particular target address oraddress range, and, upon intercepting a target address, systemcontroller I/O trap 292 asserts an intercept signal indicating thatprocessor 205 attempted to access the target address.

A main memory 225 of dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) modules iscoupled to local bus 220 by a memory controller 230. Main memory 225includes a system management mode memory area which is employed to storeconverter code to implement conversion methodology embodiments as willbe discussed in more detail subsequently.

In a simple form, a information handling system 200 may include aprocessor 205 and a memory 225. The processor 205 is typically enabledto execute instructions stored in the memory 225. The executedinstructions typically perform a function. Information handling systemsmay vary in size, shape, performance, functionality and price. Examplesof a information handling system 200, which include a processor 205 andmemory 225, may include all types of computing devices within the rangefrom a pager to a mainframe computer.

A BIOS memory 224 is coupled to local bus 220. A FLASH memory or othernonvolatile memory is used as BIOS memory 224. A BIOS program (notshown) is usually stored in the BIOS memory 224. The BIOS programincludes software for interaction with the information handling systemboot devices such as the keyboard, the mouse, or an optical disc 282.The BIOS memory 224 stores the system code, which controls someinformation handling system 200 operations.

A graphics controller 235 is coupled to local bus 220 and to a paneldisplay screen 240. Graphics controller 235 is also coupled to a videomemory 245, which stores information to be displayed on panel display240. Panel display 240 is typically an active matrix or passive matrixliquid crystal display (“LCD”) although other display technologies maybe used as well. Graphics controller 235 can also be coupled to anoptional external display or standalone monitor display 256 as shown inFIG. 2. One graphics controller that can be employed as graphicscontroller 235 is the Western Digital WD90C24A graphics controller.

A bus interface controller or expansion bus controller 258 couples localbus 220 to an expansion bus 260. In this particular embodiment,expansion bus 260 is an Industry Standard Architecture (“ISA”) busalthough other buses, for example, a Peripheral Component Interconnect(“PCI”) bus, could also be used. A personal computer memory cardinternational association (“PCMCIA”) controller 265 is also coupled toexpansion bus 260 as shown. PCMCIA controller 265 is coupled to aplurality of expansion slots 270 to receive PCMCIA expansion cards suchas modems, fax cards, communications cards, and other input/outputdevices. Interrupt request generator 297 is also coupled to ISA bus 260and issues an interrupt service request over a predetermined interruptrequest line after receiving a request to issue interrupt instructionfrom processor 205.

An 1/O controller 275, often referred to as a super I/O controller iscoupled to ISA bus 260. I/O controller 275 interfaces to an integrateddrive electronics (“IDE”) hard drive 280, a optical disc drive 282 and afloppy drive 285. Other disc drive devices (not shown) which may also beinterfaced to the I/O controller include a removable hard drive, a zipdrive, a CD-RW drive, and a CD-DVD drive. A network interface controller201 enables the information handling system 200 to communicate with acomputer network such as an Ethernet 290. The information handlingsystem may also include a computer network such as a local area network(“LAN”), wide area network (“WAN”), Internet, Intranet, wirelessbroadband or the like. The network interface controller 201 forms anetwork interface for communicating with other information handlingsystems (not shown) connected to the Ethernet 290. The informationhandling system's networking components generally include hardware aswell as software components. Examples of the hardware components includethe network interface controller 201 and the Ethernet 290. Examples ofthe software components, which include messaging services and networkadministration services, are described below.

The information handling system 200 serves as a controller for resolvingproprietary and standard event and message structures into a commonformat for use by the computer network for many management purposes. Theinformation handling system 200 is connected with a plurality ofcomputer systems in the network for receiving messages from the computersystems, analyzing the messages and determine an effective utilizationof the messages as directed by a user or network administrator. Theinformation handling system 200 receives messages in different messageformats, organizes the messages, and converts the messages into a commonformat that assists a user, system administrator, or networkadministrator in utilizing the information contained in the messages.The information handling system 200 supports the conversion of messagesinto the common format to facilitate particular network applications.

Information handling system 200 includes a power supply 264, forexample, a battery, which provides power to the many devices, which forminformation handling system 200. Power supply 264 is typically arechargeable battery, such as a nickel metal hydride (“NiMl1”) orlithium ion battery, when information handling system 200 is embodied asa portable or notebook computer. Power supply 264 is coupled to a powermanagement microcontroller 208 which controls the distribution of powerfrom power supply 264. More specifically, microcontroller 208 includes apower output 209 coupled to the main power plane 214 which suppliespower to processor 205. Power microcontroller 208 is also coupled to apower plane (not shown) which supplies power to panel display 240. Inthis particular embodiment, power control microcontroller 208 is aMotorola 6805 microcontroller. Microcontroller 208 monitors the chargelevel of power supply 264 to determine when to charge and when not tocharge battery 264. Microcontroller 208 is coupled to a main powerswitch 212, which the user actuates to turn the information handlingsystem 200, on and off. While micro-controller 208 powers down otherportions of information handling system 200 such as hard drive 280 whennot in use to conserve power, micro-controller 208 itself is alwayscoupled to a source of energy, namely power supply 264.

In a portable embodiment, information handling system 200 also includesa screen lid switch 206 or indicator 206 which provides an indication ofwhen panel display 240 is in the open position and an indication of whenpanel display 240 is in the closed position. It is noted that paneldisplay 240 is generally located in the same location in the lid of thecomputer as is typical for “clamshell” types of portable computers suchas laptop or notebook computers. In this manner, the display screenforms an integral part of the lid of the computer, which swings from anopen position for interaction with the user to a close position.

Information handling system 200 also includes a power management chipset 238, which includes power management chip models PT86C521 andPT86C522 manufactured by Pico Power. Power management chip set 238 iscoupled to processor 205 via local bus 220 so that power management chipset 238 can receive power control commands from processor 205. Powermanagement chip set 238 is connected to a plurality of individual powerplanes which supply power to respective devices in information handlingsystem 200 such as hard drive 280 and floppy drive 285, for example. Inthis manner, power management chip set 238 acts under the direction ofprocessor 205 to control the power to the various power planes anddevices of the computer. A real time clock (“RTC”) 240 is coupled to I/Ocontroller 275 and power management chip set 238 such that time eventsor alarms can be transmitted to power management chip set 238. Real timeclock 240 can be programmed to generate an 15 alarm signal at apredetermined time.

When information handling system 200 is turned on or powered up, theinformation handling system 200 enters a start up phase, also referredto as a boot up phase, during which the information handling systemhardware is detected and the operating system is loaded. During theinitial boot stage, the information handling system BIOS software storedin nonvolatile BIOS memory 224 is copied into main memory 225 so that itcan be executed more quickly. This technique is referred to as“shadowing” or “shadow RAM” as discussed above. At this time, SMM code250 is also copied into the system management mode memory area 226 ofmain memory 225. Processor 205 executes SMM code 250 after processor 205receives a system management interrupt (“SMI”) which causes themicroprocessor to enter SMM. Additional conditions under which an SMI isgenerated are discussed subsequently. It is noted that along with SMMcode 250, also stored in BIOS memory 224 and copied into main memory 225at power up are system BIOS 255 (including a power on self test modulePOST), CD-ROM BIOS 257 and video BIOS 260. It will be recognized bythose of ordinary skill in the art that other memory mapping schemes maybe used. For example, SMM code 250 may be stored in fast SRAM memory(not shown) coupled to the local/processor bus 220.

In one embodiment, the information handling system 200 is tested toverify the proper operation of its hardware and software components. Thetesting of the information handling system 200 includes the testing ofthe audio components 283 included in the optical disc drive withremovable media, e.g., optical disc drive 282. The information handlingsystem 200 is configurable to perform the method of testing the audiocomponents 283 of the information handling system optical disc drive 282device with removable storage media, preferably without requiring thepresence of optical disc 115, as described in further detail below.Additionally, if the audio cable is separate from the interfaceconnector or interface cable then the testing includes determiningwhether an audio cable is connected between the optical disc drive 282and the sound circuitry.

In one embodiment, the disc controller (not shown) of the optical discdrive 282 included in the information handling system 200 is enabled tointernally generate an audio tone signal on executing a command. Theaudio components 283 may also include optional sound circuitry (notshown) coupled to the optical disc drive 282. The audio output of theoptical disc drive 282 is transferred to the sound circuitry, e.g., viaan audio cable or via interface connector, as an audio input to thesound circuitry. The audio tone signal generated internally, in responseto receiving and executing the command, is output to an audio outputdevice, e.g., a pair of speakers (not shown) or a headset (not shown).The headset may be coupled to the optical disc drive 282 via an externalaudio jack (not shown). The optical disc drive 282 testing process maybe initiated either during the boot up process or after loading theoperating system.

In one embodiment, the information handling system 200 includes acomputer-readable medium having a computer program or informationhandling system 200 software accessible therefrom, the computer programincluding instructions for performing the method of testing the computersystem drive device with removable storage media. The computer-readablemedium may typically include any of the following: a magnetic storagemedium, including disc and tape storage medium; an optical storagemedium, including optical discs such as CD-ROM, CD-RW, CD-R, DVD andcombination DVD/CD-RW; a non-volatile memory storage medium; a volatilememory storage medium; and data transmission or communications mediumincluding packets of electronic data, and electromagnetic or fiber opticwaves modulated in accordance with the instructions.

The present disclosure allows testing the operational status of theaudio components 283 of the information handling system 200 optical discdrive preferably without requiring the presence of the removable storagemedia. For example, being able to test optical disc drive 282 device ofan information handling system 200 when no optical disc 115 is present.A method, which advantageously tests the operational status of the audiocomponents 283 of the optical disc drive when no physical removablestorage media is present, is described in FIG. 3. The testing mayinclude determining the operational status of the audio cable ifpresent.

Referring to FIG. 3, a flow chart for a method of testing audiocomponents 283 of an optical disc drive device, with removable storagemedia, is illustrated. In step 300, the optical disc drive is preparedto receive a command. The command is received by the informationhandling system 200 optical disc drive to test the operational status ofthe audio components 283 of the optical disc drive, preferably when nooptical removable storage media is present. A command set for theoptical disc drive typically includes a set of instructions, which areexecutable by the processor included in the disc drive controller 140.The commands enable the disc drive controller 140 to perform functionssuch as acquiring signals from the sensor device 130, controlling thespeed of the spindle motor 110, and delivering an audio output. Undernormal operation, the optical disc drive typically generates audio tonesignals in response to receiving inputs from the sensor device 130. Inone embodiment, the command set of the optical disc drive is modified toinclude at least one new command to internally generate or synthesizeaudio tone signals. The new command may include one or more parametersto define audio tone signal characteristics as described below. Othernew commands may be included to start or stop the generation of theaudio tone signal. In one embodiment, a command may internally generateaudio tone signals for a configurable time period, e.g., 15 seconds. Anew command may direct an audio tone signal to a right and/or a leftchannel for testing stereo components. A new command may generate afirst audio tone signal and direct it to the left channel and generate asecond audio tone signal and direct it to the right channel. The firstand second audio tone signals may be generated in a substantiallyconcurrent manner.

The audio tones may be presented by the optical drive to its normalanalog outputs, thereby providing an internally generated signal sourcefor verification of the audio cable and other portions of the audiosignal path. The testing or verification process is preferably conductedwhen no optical removable storage media is present. The internallygenerated audio tone signals may be made available to a sound outputdevice such as a headphone set via an audio jack.

In one embodiment, the command to conduct the test may be entered on thedisplay screen 240 of the information handling system 200. In oneembodiment, a computer program configured to launch the testing of theoptical disc drive may enter the command. In this embodiment, at leastone processor included in the disc drive controller 140 is configurableto receive the command entered. In another embodiment, a plurality ofprocessors including a digital signal processor (“DSP”) (not shown) maybe included in the optical disc drive 282. The command received isconfigurable to internally generate an audio tone signal using some orall of the processors and the audio components 283 of the optical discdrive 282. The audio components 283 of the optical disc drive 282 maytypically include an audio amplifier, a digital audio encoder/decoder,and an audio digital-to-analog (“D/A”) converter. The command mayinclude a configurable parameter to define a frequency of the audio tonesignal. A second configurable parameter of the command may define theamplitude of the audio tone signal. The relationship between a commandreceived, along with any configured parameters, and the correspondingaudio tone signal generated is implemented via a look up table stored inmemory as described below.

In step 350, the audio tone signal is generated internally by the disccontroller 140 in response to receiving the command. In one embodiment,a sine wave generator, which is well known in the art, is used tointernally generate the audio tone signal. The sine waveform istypically stored in a wavetable, and is scanned using a table-lookuposcillator algorithm. The optical disc drive controller 140 maytypically include a D/A converter. Tile D/A converts the audio tonesignal stored in a digital form, e.g., stored in the look up wavetable,to an analog tone signal representing an audio sound. In one embodiment,the audio tone signal may be output in the form of pulses generated at apre-defined frequency.

In another embodiment, in step 350, the audio tone signal is generatedinternally, in response to receiving the command, by using a frequencygenerator (“PG”) output provided by the spindle motor 110. The spindlemotor 110 generates a pulse output, e.g., the frequency generatoroutput, based on its rotation speed. The spindle motor 110 is rotated toa configurable speed so as to generate the audio tone signal of adefined frequency. In one embodiment, the frequency generator output iscoupled to the audio components 283 of the optical disc drive 282 via anew switchable path. To generate the audio tone signal, the spindlemotor is started and the switchable path is opened and closed anddirected to either audio output channel under the control of the opticaldrive's processor. The optical disc drive 282 circuitry may be used toshape the switched output of the spindle motor 110 to provide a morepleasing sound at the desired amplitude. This embodiment may also beadvantageously used to test the operational status of the spindle motor110 component of the optical disc drive device.

In one embodiment, the information handling system 200 may be enabled tocollect test data in steps 300 and 350 so as to document the operationalstatus of the optical disc drive. The test data may include values forvariables such as audio tone signal frequency and amplitude, operationalstatus of the audio cable, right/left channel, spindle motor 110. Thecollected test data may be used for a test report or for later analysis.

Although the method and system of the present disclosure has beendescribed in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is notintended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on thecontrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, andequivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scopeof the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

1. A computer system comprising: a chassis; a processor mounted in thechassis; a memory coupled to the processor; and an optical disc drivecoupled to the processor and the memory, the optical disc drivecomprising a removable storage media, the optical disc drive beingconfigurable to internally generate an audio tone signal in response toreceiving a command during an absence of the removable storage media, toreceive a second command, wherein the second command generates acorresponding second audio tone signal and to receive a third command,and wherein the third command is configurable to stop the generation ofthe second audio tone signal.
 2. The computer system of claim 1, whereinthe generated audio tone signal is transferred to a sound circuitryelectrically coupled to the optical disc drive, wherein the soundcircuitry outputs the audio tone signal.
 3. The computer system of claim2, wherein the audio tone signal output by the sound circuitry indicatesa proper operation of the sound circuitry and a cable, wherein the cablecouples the sound circuitry and the optical disc drive.
 4. The computersystem of claim 2, wherein the sound circuitry outputs the audio tonesignal to an external sound output device coupled to the soundcircuitry.
 5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the generatedaudio tone signal is output to an external speaker coupled to theoptical disc drive.
 6. A computer system comprising: a chassis; aprocessor mounted in the chassis; an input coupled to provide input tothe processor; and an optical disc drive coupled to the processor andthe memory, the optical disc drive comprising a removable storage media,the optical disc drive being configurable to internally generate anaudio tone signal in response to receiving a command during an absenceof the removable storage media, to receive a second command, wherein thesecond command generates a corresponding second audio tone signal and toreceive a third command, and wherein the third command is configurableto stop the generation of the second audio tone signal.
 7. The computersystem of claim 6, wherein the generated audio tone signal istransferred to a sound circuitry electrically coupled to the opticaldisc drive, wherein the sound circuitry outputs the audio tone signal.8. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the audio tone signal outputby the sound circuitry indicates a proper operation of the soundcircuitry and a cable, wherein the cable couples the sound circuitry andthe optical disc drive.
 9. The computer system of claim 7, wherein thesound circuitry outputs the audio tone signal to an external soundoutput device coupled to the sound circuitry.
 10. The computer system ofclaim 6, wherein the generated audio tone signal is output to anexternal speaker coupled to the optical disc drive.
 11. A computersystem comprising: a chassis; a processor mounted in the chassis; amemory coupled to the processor; and an optical disc drive coupled tothe processor and the memory, the optical disc drive comprising aremovable storage media, the optical disc drive being configurable tointernally generate an audio tone signal in response to the processorexecuting instructions stored in the memory, the instructions executableto: generate at least one command to test the optical disc drive inresponse to receiving a request, the optical disc drive being configuredto receive a plurality of commands and generate a plurality of audiotone signals, one of the commands being configurable to stop generationof an audio tone signal.